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Brush fire in Ludlow burns 16.5 acres; fire crews continue to work fire today

By Cara Philbin ©2024 Telegraph Publishing LLC A brush fire that broke out in Ludlow on Saturday afternoon burned 16 acres and required assistance from more than 15 area fire departments to contain the burn as wind continued to whip through the region. The fire continued to burn after dark on Saturday, when crews were […]

GM board votes to preview restructuring plan, overriding superintendent’s schedule

By Shawn Cunningham © 2024 Telegraph Publishing LLC In a bid to moderate reaction to an administration-generated restructuring plan for the three schools within the Green Mountain Unified School District, TRSU Superintendent Layne Millington said he would not reveal the plan until the next GM board  meeting, on Thursday Nov. 21. But, following board member […]

No one injured, two condos destroyed in fire on Okemo Mountain

By Cara Philbin ©2024 Telegraph Publishing LLC A fire that broke out Saturday night in Okemo Mountain’s Trailside Village community destroyed two condominiums and left a third heavily damaged, Ludlow’s Deputy Fire Chief Fran Kissell told The Chester Telegraph on Sunday. No injuries were reported, but Ludlow Town Manager Brendan McNamara,  a volunteer firefighter who […]

Ed finance panel delays internal deadline for cost-containment suggestions

By Shawn Cunningham © 2024 Telegraph Publishing LLC Anyone who watched the Sept. 30 meeting of the Education Finance subcommittee of Vermont’s Commission on the Future of Public Education might well have expected that this Monday’s session would see members hammering out a list of short-term cost containment ideas to present to the full commission […]

A Q&A with Charlton and Chase, candidates for Vermont House for Windsor-Windham District

©2024 Telegraph Publishing LLC Heather Chase, the Democratic incumbent, and Thomas Charlton, a Republican newcomer to politics, are running against each other for a two-year term in the Vermont House of Representatives representing the cross-county Windsor-Windham District consisting of the towns of Athens, Chester, Grafton and Windham. Voting will take place on 9 a.m. to […]

Weston’s Wilder Library gets $650,000 grant for addition, upgrades to entire site

By Cynthia Prairie ©2024 Telegraph Publishing LLC The Wilder Memorial Library in Weston has received a federal grant of $650,000 to support renovations to the 200-year-old brick structure and add 1,300 square feet of space in a new addition. The monies were awarded by the Vermont Department of Libraries, which was responsible for awarding $16.4 […]

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  • To the editor: Support Charlton to help break supermajority

    To the editor: Support Charlton to help break supermajority

    I write in support of Tom Charlton for state representative for Athens, Chester, Grafton, and Windham. Why? Well, in part because the supermajority Democrat members of the Vermont legislature rammed through seven new laws despite the vetoes of Gov. Phil Scott. We have learned from a brave Democrat representative that fewer than 10 Democrat legislators […]

  • To the editor: Vote for Republicans in General Election

    To the editor: Vote for Republicans in General Election

    I am a delivery driver and a service technician for a home heating company. The only candidates on the ballot that will not destroy the home heat industry, which my coworkers and I rely upon to support our families in Vermont, are Republicans. The only candidates on the ballot that will not increase our home […]

  • Op-ed: Free, fair, accessible and secure elections

    Op-ed: Free, fair, accessible and secure elections

    By Sarah Copeland Hanzas The General Election is less than two weeks away. As the rhetoric and “noise” intensifies, it’s worth a reminder that Vermont’s elections are not only among the most accessible in the country, they are also incredibly secure.  Election policy is always a balance of accessibility and security. I feel very strongly […]

  • To the editor: North Star to move Rockingham Health to Springfield, Charlestown locales

    To the editor: North Star to move Rockingham Health to Springfield, Charlestown locales

    As highlighted by the Green Mountain Care Board’s recent guidance under Act 167, Vermont’s healthcare system is at a crossroads. While their report focused mainly on area hospitals, most healthcare entities in our state are struggling. Effective Jan. 1, 2025, North Star Health will consolidate our Rockingham Health Center with our Springfield and Charlestown, N.H., […]

  • To the editor: Vote your climate conscience at the ballot box

    To the editor: Vote your climate conscience at the ballot box

    As the election draws closer, we cannot ignore the growing impact of climate change on our communities. Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton, along with dozens of wildfires this past summer — they’re all clear warning signs of a very real climate crisis. This issue deserves more attention than it’s received so far this election […]

  • To the editor: Vote Morrow, Bongartz and Plunkett for state House and Senate

    To the editor: Vote Morrow, Bongartz and Plunkett for state House and Senate

    As Election Day approaches, we are faced with an important decision about the future direction of our state. I am endorsing Chris Morrow for state representative (Andover, Londonderry, Weston, and Winhall) and Seth Bongartz and Rob Plunkett for state Senate (Bennington County, plus Londonderry, Stratton, and Wilmington) in this election. What sets these candidates apart […]

  • To the editor: Why vote for Clarkson, White and Major?

    To the editor: Why vote for Clarkson, White and Major?

    There’s a reason you see lots of signs for Alison Clarkson, Becca White and Joe Major now:  They are the cream of the crop running for the Vermont state Senate, and Windsor County voters recognize these stellar candidates.  These three share a deep understanding of our communities’ needs and have records as public servants showing […]

  • To the editor: 'Friends' group seeks to protect Vermont public schools

    To the editor: ‘Friends’ group seeks to protect Vermont public schools

    Be informed. In early spring this year a small group of longtime school board members – most former, one current – got together to talk about pushing back against the steady attacks on our public schools, which are also longtime. We decided to start a grassroots effort, calling ourselves Friends of Vermont Public Education. Our […]

  • To the editor: Cavendish Town Elementary PTG thanks all who helped purchase of sound system

    To the editor: Cavendish Town Elementary PTG thanks all who helped purchase of sound system

    On behalf of Cavendish Town Elementary School’s families, teachers, and staff, The Parent/Teacher Group extends a heartfelt thank you to Tyler Butterick and his non-profit company, Fairway Fundraising. This summer he donated money to purchase a much-needed sound system for our beloved school. We’d also like to thank the event’s primary sponsors, including The Loft […]

  • To the editor: Rep. Chase works to meet constituent needs

    To the editor: Rep. Chase works to meet constituent needs

    I’m writing to support Heather Chase for re-election to the Windham-Windsor seat in the Vermont House of Representatives that she now holds, representing Athens, Chester, Grafton and Windham. I first saw Heather in action when she was a member of the Chester Select Board, which that night was dealing with a very complicated issue facing […]

  • To the editor: Chase has been terrific for Grafton

    To the editor: Chase has been terrific for Grafton

    Heather Chase has been a terrific representative for Grafton. Heather is very responsive to our needs as individuals and as a town. She is committed to helping small schools survive, and will be front and center in the fight to keep Grace Cottage Hospital open. This whole small village relies on these two institutions to […]

  • To the editor: Endorsements of incumbents ignore results of their actions

    To the editor: Endorsements of incumbents ignore results of their actions

    I see the endorsements of the incumbents and can’t help wondering how the people can completely ignore the results of their actions. Highest in cost of living in relation to wages, second in homelessness, third in overall taxes per person; two out of five Vermonters living with food insecurity. We have high energy costs that […]

  • To the editor: Only Heather Chase will stand up for IVF and abortion care in race for State House

    To the editor: Only Heather Chase will stand up for IVF and abortion care in race for State House

    My name is Krista, I’m a life-long Vermonter who lives in Athens on the same land that my family has for at least six generations, and I write to endorse Heather Chase for our state representative. This election is deeply personal to me as my ability to have children — and the ability to receive […]

  • Glidden family awarded 2024 Ludlow Rotary Club's Community Service Award

    Glidden family awarded 2024 Ludlow Rotary Club’s Community Service Award

    Tom Ray, immediate past president of Ludlow Rotary Club, paid a surprise visit to the Proctorsville Fire Hall during its evening drill on Sunday, Oct. 6, to present the 2024 Community Service Award to the Glidden family in honor of their many years of service to the area communities. The Glidden family has had ties […]

  • Future of Education to hold first 'public engagement' session on Oct. 21

    Future of Education to hold first ‘public engagement’ session on Oct. 21

    The Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont will hold its first public engagement session from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday Oct. 21 at the Randolph Union Middle High School, 15 Forest Street in Randolph. This will be the first of many such sessions to be held across the state over […]

  • Musicians to hold Kate Lorenz tribute Oct. 19

    Musicians to hold Kate Lorenz tribute Oct. 19

    Musicians, friends, colleagues, music fans and family will gather at The Stone Church, 210 Main St. in Brattleboro, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 for Sparkletown II: A Tribute to the Music & Spirit of Kate Lorenz. Doors open at 6 p.m. This concert will be a big night of Kate’s own songs and […]

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